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This European Life: An Open Travelogue

23K views 62 replies 13 participants last post by  FirstRam 
#1 ·
Hello everyone,
My name is Miguel, I am 23 years old, a citizen of Spain and within 20 days I shall be starting a solo expedition from the United States to the southernmost tip of Argentina. Being a Mercedes gear-head and striving with a tight budget, I bought a 1981 Mercedes 300TD wagon that I am currently modifying to make expedition-worthy.

Since I graduated college, I started writing a blog called "This European Life", where I narrate my travels and my thoughts on where life takes me. I call it an open travelogue because I do not plan on it NEVER ending, I am always looking to meet fellow travelers wherever I go! So, don't be shy and shoot me a line if you want to meet and talk about rigs and overlanding!

It is an honor to be part of this –VERY SERIOUS- community of offroaders and adventurers, and I hope to meet many of you wherever my wheels take me! I shall also keep my eyes open for the last supplies I need!

Thank you!
-Miguel Llorente

 
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#31 ·
Now, it's time for the long-waited Cuban adventure. This is the first part out of a trilogy on my experience in Havana, starting with a general intro, continuing on the quest of the Gullwing, and ending with a series of cool snippets that I could not fit anywhere else. May I mention that any of the money donated was NOT used in this part of the trip, due to the legal constrains by Indiegogo and the US policy towards Cuba. Silly I have to write this disclaimer, but law is law. Pffft. Enjoy, anyway!

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE
Cuba Diaries


 
#36 ·
At long last, after a month of rest and a few amazing experiences, I have retaken my writing duties. This is the first one out of three articles I plan on writing about Guatemala: the first one on Antigua, the second one of Lake Atitlan, and the third one on Guatemala City or just a classic set of "World Snippets". Hope you enjoy this first delivery!

This European Life: The Flavor of Antigua

 
#40 ·
Nicaragua is a truly stunning country! From its colonial towns to its fresh water shores, it has become one of my favorites so far. Luckily it is still relatively unexploited, so it allows for a more integrated experience when visiting! Most certainly, I shall return to Nicaragua and Cuba. Not that the two of them are socialist, or anything...

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE: Reasons I Like Nicaragua



Remember to like This European Life in Facebook for continuous updates!
 
#43 ·
Tell me when and where! :D
Currently working on shipping the car around the Darien Gap...

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When someone mentions Costa Rica to you, perhaps the first thing you think about are lush landscapes, beautiful scenery and paradise-like coastlines. Do you think I am going to write about these? WRONG! I have actually gone on a full-chapter delusion on how things have worked out in this magnificent little country. Read on and follow me on this PanAmerican scavenger hunt for awesome things beyond the typical!

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE:
James Bond and the Rich Coast

 
#46 ·
I was involved in a dreadful accident with the car, I came out unscathed but the poor wagon is not even suitable as a parts car. I took some time yesterday to write a detailed account of the accident and my concerns for the future of this trip... at this point, I am on the fence about interrupting it and go back home to see the family and earn some money.

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE: The Most Dangerous Road

 
#47 ·
A little late, but the accident stopped things so suddenly I had to take a break to recover. The article about my experience in Venezuela was so lengthy I had to divide it into three parts. On this first part, I narrate everything ranging from my departure from Medellín to my arrival to the town of San Cristóbal... enjoy! :)

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE
THE GREAT VENEZUELAN ADVENTURE, PART ONE

 
#51 ·
The expedition is officially over. This post, one of the most emotive I have written in a while, addresses the change from PanAmerican adventurer to a new encounter with my birthplace. Deciding to stop was a tough decision, but one that I do not regret, nonetheless. Re-discovering home is something I needed to come to terms with, and now it has been the best time to do so.

From here on, I will be posting my adventures as I hunt for vehicles all over Europe in a series of posts called "Red Plate Diaries", named after the particularly colored dealer plates in Spain. I am sure you will enjoy my European tour as much as you have enjoyed my adventures on the PanAm!

My business, Oliden Group, has a facebook page where you can keep track of the vehicles (and other products) I will export to the USA. Who knows? Maybe you'd like to buy one! :)

This European Life: A New Beginning

 
#52 ·
Well... now that I am back in Spain not much has been going on. In my recovery I have founded Oliden Group, shipped my first G-Wagen (due at the end of this month) and dedicated myself to polish up my automotive journalism. Having shared the classroom with many a hipster, I though it was about time to write an article on hipsterdom and vehicles!

THIS EUROPEAN LIFE: The Top 15 Quintessentially Hipster Cars



Expect an article at the beginning of this month narrating the Mercedes Gelandewagen odyssey, from its purchase to its arrival to the US!
 
#55 · (Edited)
People are way too drastic when addressing hipsters; it's not a black-and-white world. While some of them are apathy-worshiping pseudo-cultural parasites, some others are actually productive members of society. The guys at Mercedes Motoring are currently doing some of the most exquisite vintage Mercedes restorations I have seen, and are truly enjoying it. The language they use, the way they dress, or choice to filter pictures with instagram is their own business.

So hipsters drive hippy mobiles? Where is the VW bus or the rabbit?
Hipsters are revivalists by nature, and yes, VW's are included!
 
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